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Home , Ashley Zukerman, Kevin Alejandro, Mariana Klaveno, Pamela Reed, Patrick Fischler, Sarah Shahi

Sometimes the most powerful words are the ones you’re still searching for.

KAIROS PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

Language Arts

Run Time: 127 min Genre: Family Drama Year: 2020 Language: English Country of Origin: United States Format: 4K, aspect ratio 1:1.78

SALES: Larry Estes, (206) 686-1572, larry@welbfilm.com MEDIA: Carol Roscoe, (206) 769-6148, [email protected]

Language Arts Poster Files Trailer Website

IMDB: Language Arts Press Images available here

All photos credited to Annabel Clark Synopsis

Logline: When a student proposes a project involving autistic youth and senior dementia patients, high school English teacher Charles Marlow must confront the indelible mark that autism has made on the story of his life.

Short: It’s 1993, and high school English teacher Charles Marlow, () has spent decades shrinking from life, hiding away from the disappointments that have trailed him. When his student/protegé Romy (Aishe Keita) proposes a photojournalism project documenting collaborations between autistic youth and senior dementia patients, Charles tailspins into his past, through a series of interlocking timelines, confronting the errors of his youth. In a 1962 Seattle classroom, young Charles (Elliott Smith) befriends an autistic child, Dana (Lincoln Lambert), with shocking consequences. In the 1980s, Charles and his wife Alison (Sarah Shahi) struggle to comprehend their own child’s autism, resulting in the destruction of their marriage. Now, as his student confronts, head-on, the challenges of working with neuro-diverse individuals, Charles determines to deal with his haunting failures. Awkwardly, with many revisions, he sets about repairing his own story. Inspired by his student’s art, Charles learns to see the world around him anew, make peace with the errors of the past, and incorporate new ways of listening and connecting with the people he loves.

Long: It’s 1993, and high-school English teacher Charles Marlow, (Ashley Zukerman) has spent decades shrinking from life, hiding away from the disappointments that have trailed him. Estranged from his ex-wife and his teenage autistic son, Charles avoids connecting with the outside world. But, when his student-protegé Romy (Aishe Keita) proposes a photojournalism project documenting collaborations between autistic youth and senior dementia patients, Charles tailspins into his past, confronting the errors of his youth. Though interlocking flashbacks and contemporary sequences, Charles collides with the forces and faces he has tried to pack away. In a progressive 1962 Seattle classroom, young Charles (Elliott Smith) befriends an autistic child, Dana (Lincoln Lambert). Their friendship offers a radical transformation for both of them, as both Charles and Dana learn to communicate in new ways with the world around them. However, their relationship draws the attention of two school bullies, with shocking consequences. The experience haunts Charles, as a young father in the 1980s. Charles and his wife Alison (Sarah Shahi) grapple with their own child’s autism in wildly divergent ways. Their inability to work together results in the destruction of their marriage. Now, as his student confronts, head-on, the challenges of working with neuro-diverse individuals, Charles determines to deal with his haunting failures. Inspired by his student’s art, Charles learns to see the world around him anew, make peace with the errors of the past, and incorporate new ways of listening and connecting with the people he loves.

Photo: Ashley Zukerman as Charles Marlow. Director’s Statement My connection to Stephanie Kallos and her beautiful novel runs deep. Our families have known each other for decades, and that friendship partly drove my desire to adapt Language Arts for the screen. Loving and raising a child with autism is central to this story, and to my story as well.

Everyone struggles with something on this planet. No one gets off unscathed. We all have something we have to lean into and fight through everyday. As a filmmaker, you must ground your story in something real. For me, Language Arts was grounded in my own experience of parenting a child with autism, of seeing marriages end and transform, and of witnessing profound changes in loved ones.

Independent movies take years to make, and you never know how many movies you have left in you. So, the story you choose has to really grab you; it has to take you over. Language Arts took me over.

For me, it was important to be able to tell this story with truth, complexity, and emotional vulnerability. I was blessed to find extraordinary actors and crew. Every individual on our set brought their heart to work every day, and several of them had a personal connection to autism.

My heart is in this film, in a literal way. My family worked on set, and it’s dedicated to my children. To have them in the film, and to share this story with the world, fills me with deep gratitude.

My mentor Madeleine L’Engle wrote “if we limit ourselves to the age we are, and forget all the ages we have been, we limit our truth.” In Language Arts, our protagonist confronts all the ages he has been, and so is able to move into his truth. That inspires me, and I hope it inspires you as well.

- Cornelia Duryée Language Arts Credits

A Kairos Production LANGUAGE ARTS ASHLEY ZUKERMAN SARAH SHAHI ELLIOTT SMITH LINCOLN LAMBERT ERIN CUMMINGS MARIANA KLAVENO JANE RYAN SUZANNE BOUCHARD KIERAN WALTON with KEVIN ALEJANDRO and PAMELA REED Casting RICHARD PAGANO C.S.A. Costume Designer RONALD LEAMON Production Designer RACHEL M. THOMSON Editor ROSSANA GOMES Music by BC SMITH Director of Photography ALISA TYRRILL Associate Producer VICKY BERGLUND-DAVENPORT Co-Producer RANDY SUHR Executive Producers RICH COWAN STEPHANIE KALLOS Produced by LARRY ESTES, p.g.a. Screenplay by CORNELIA DURYÉE Based on the novel by STEPHANIE KALLOS Directed by CORNELIA DURYÉE

Photo: Sarah Shahi as Alison, Kieran Walton as Cody. Cast and Crew

Cast Crew Ashley Zukerman as Charles Directed by Cornelia Duryée Sarah Shahi as Alison Screenplay by Cornelia Duryée Elliott Smith as Charlie Based on the novel by Stephanie Kallos Lincoln Lambert as Dana Produced by Larry Estes, p.g.a. Erin Cummings as Rita Executive Producers Rich Cowan, Stephanie Mariana Klaveno as Sylvie Kallos Jane Ryan as Mrs. Braxton Director of Photography Alisa Tyrrill Suzanne Bouchard as Eulalie Music by BC Smith Kevin Alejandro as Bruce Production Designer Rachel Thomson Pamela Reed as Sister Giorgia Costume Designer Ron Leamon Lucas Oktay as Mitchell Editor Rossana Gomes Kieran Walton as Cody Co-Producer Randy Suhr Basil Harris as Garrett Associate Producer Vicky Berglund-Davenport Aishe Keita as Romy Casting by Richard Pagano C.S.A. About the Filmmakers

PRODUCER

Larry Estes was named “Hollywood’s Quiet Godfather of the Offbeat Film” by The New York Times. As a ColumbiaTriStar Executive, his films include Steven Soderbergh’s SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE, Allison Anders’ GAS FOOD LODGING, Carl Franklin’s ONE FALSE MOVE (co-starring and co-written by Billy Bob Thornton), John Sayles’ CITY OF HOPE and PASSION FISH, Neal Jimenez & Michael Steinberg’s THE WATERDANCE, Bobcat Goldthwait’s SHAKES THE CLOWN, and John Turturro’s MAC, among others. Since becoming an Independent Producer, five more of his films have premiered at Sundance, four of those in dramatic competition, including Sherman Alexie’s SMOKE SIGNALS, and THE BUSINESS OF FANCYDANCING.

He served as Executive Producer of THE HEART OF THE GAME, and he has produced five feature films with Kairos Productions.

WRITER/DIRECTOR

Cornelia Duryée began as a playwright and stage director, but it was her relationship with Madeleine L'Engle that led her into the world of film, when L’Engle invited her to adapt several of her novels and plays for the screen. Corrie’s films include THE DARK HORSE, CAMILLA DICKINSON, WEST OF REDEMPTION, PORTAL RUNNER, and LANGUAGE ARTS. Corrie served as Executive Producer for cult favorite JOURNEYQUEST Season 1, as a producer of JOURNEYQUEST Season 2, and as a casting director for THE GAMERS: DORKNESS RISING, as well as working on many other Seattle film and theater productions, including co-founding Seattle Shakespeare Company, and serving as Casting Director for Thalia’s Umbrella. Cornelia is in the continual process of writing and developing numerous projects for Kairos. She is now in pre-production for a 2020 feature film shoot in Washington State. NOVELIST Stephanie Kallos was born in Idaho and grew up in Nebraska. Before coming out of the closet as a writer, she had a varied work history, which included many years as a musician, and a long career in the theater as an actress and teacher of voice, speech, and dialects. Her short fiction has received two Raymond Carver Awards and a Pushcart Prize nomination. Her first novel, BROKEN FOR YOU, was published in 2004; it was chosen by Sue Monk Kidd as a TODAY SHOW book club selection, and received the Washington State and PNBA Book Awards. Her second novel, SING THEM HOME, was published in 2009; a Pacific NW Independent Booksellers bestseller, it was selected for Iowa’s “All Iowa Reads” program and named by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 10 Best Books of 2009. Her third novel, LANGUAGE ARTS, was published in 2015. Stephanie lives with her family in a north Seattle neighborhood which has no sidewalks and looks very much like a small town. Sightings of men in kilts are common. Happily distracting her from writing are numerous unfinished knitting projects, a doe-eyed Labrador named Mr. Nick Tumnus, an extremely vocal tabby cat named Sydney Australia, and her raucous family of men. Stephanie is a proud member of Seattle7Writers and its offshoot band, The Rejections. She is currently at work on a short story collection and her fourth novel. Cast Bios

Ashley Zukerman (Charles) Ashley Zukerman’s work has been seen on stage and screen worldwide. He can currently be seen in the HBO series SUCCESSION, for producer Adam McKay. He can next be seen starring opposite Kate Mara in the FX limited series A TEACHER, from writer/director Hannah Fidell. Previously, Zukerman earned a passionate fanbase starring opposite John Benjamin Hickey and Michael Chernus in the critically-acclaimed WGN America series MANHATTAN. Sam Shaw and executive produced the series, which is centered around the covert operation to build the world’s first atomic bomb. Zukerman also starred in the Australian thriller series THE CODE, which earned him a Logie Award nomination for Most Outstanding Actor. Zukerman broke out on the long-running Australian series RUSH. His additional television credits include DESIGNATED SURVIVOR (ABC), CHILDHOOD’S END (SyFy), TERRA NOVA (Fox), and HBO’s Emmy-winning series . His upcoming film credits include the FEAR STREET trilogy for Fox and Chernin Entertainment. Born in and raised in Australia, Zukerman is a dual citizen.

Sarah Shahi (Alison), Sarah Shahi recently received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Rachel Behnamin in Showtime’s original series CITY ON A HILL. She will next be starring in SEX/LIFE on Netflix, as well as performing in the Dolly Parton anthology series HEARTSTRINGS. Sarah can currently be seen starring on the NBC series THE ROOKIE, alongside Nathan Fillion. She starred on the NBC series REVERIE, and is best known for her roles on the popular CBS series PERSON OF INTEREST, (which won the People’s Choice Award in 2012 and 2016), the USA series , and the Showtime hit series . Sarah won the 2012 Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Breakthrough Role, for her performance as Kate Reed in FAIRLY LEGAL Other television credits include CHICAGO FIRE, LIFE, REBA, , , and ALIAS. Film highlights include JUDY SMALL, BULLET TO THE HEAD, opposite and , and the indie comedy FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, directed by Christopher Guest. Sarah is an Iranian-American who grew up in Texas. She attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) and is a former NFL Cheerleader (Dallas Cowboys).While working as an extra on the set of DR. T AND THE WOMEN, she met director , who encouraged her to move to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. Cast Bios (cont’d) Elliott Smith (Charlie) Elliott Smith is a , CA native. He began acting for fun in 6-second sketches on the Vine App (2013-2016). Several of those looping videos went viral, and he became known and quoted for "Hey, I think you're really cool. I Like you a lot. Maybe we could hangout or something" "Not really interested in being like the cool kids" and "She's a beast, I call her mama." He and his mom grew an audience of 1 million followers on the app. Elliott signed with DDO Artists Agency in late 2014, and began his professional acting career right away. His television credits include A KID CALLED MAYONNAISE, CONFESS, , BREAM GIVES ME HICCUPS and the upcoming JUST ADD MAGIC: MYSTERY CITY. He’s also the voice of Oscar in SUMMER CAMP ISLAND. He loves acting, comics, and making videos on social media for fun with his mom.

Lincoln Lambert (Dana) Lincoln (12) is a Korean-American actor that was born and raised in South Korea. Since the age of three he has been entertaining through acting, singing, dancing, and hosting television shows. His acting career started when he was cast in REAL KIDS’ STORY, RAINBOW, a South Korean variety show. Since 2016, he has been pursuing his career in Hollywood, and was honored to be cast as Dana McGucken in LANGUAGE ARTS. He has also had the privilege of performing in an episode of CRIMINAL MINDS, alongside fellow Korean-American actor Daniel Henney. Lincoln most recently had the honor of performing with Azusa Pacific University's men's choir and orchestra, to sing a solo in their Celebrate Christmas concert. Lincoln is represented by CESD Talent Agency and Symington Talent Management in the U.S. and by Echo Global Group in South Korea.

Erin Cummings (Rita) Erin Cummings rose to international visibility for her tragic role as "Sura," wife of "Spartacus," in the Starz series, SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND. She played opposite Richard Dreyfuss as "Eleanor Squillari" in the ABC miniseries MADOFF, and starred as "Marge Slayton" in the ABC series, THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB. Her numerous television credits include recent guest spots on LUCIFER, ALL RISE, DYNASTY, 911: LONE STAR, , THE BLACKLIST, MASTERS OF SEX, INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, CRIMINAL MINDS, BLUE BLOODS, HALT & CATCH FIRE, NCIS and THE FLASH. Of course, none of this could have happened if she hadn't memorably started her career with two lines of dialogue as "Prostitute #1" on : ENTERPRISE. Cummings played "Lady Macbeth" in The Santa Susana Repertory Theater Company's production of MACBETH, followed by "Queen Gertrude" in HAMLET. Erin played the lead in Chad Beguelin's play HARBOR, directed by Tony-nominated director Mark Lamos, for Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Her film credits include THE DISASTER ARTIST with James Franco, THE ICEMAN with Michael Shannon and Winona Ryder, COLD COMES THE NIGHT with Bryan Cranston, and WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS, with Martin Lawrence. In 2016 she was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer, just after her wedding to actor Tom Degnan. This propelled her to start a podcast, KAPPA KAPPA CANCER: YOUR GUIDE TO THE SORORITY YOU NEVER WANTED TO JOIN. Cast Bios (cont’d)

Mariana Klaveno (Sylvie) Mariana Klaveno made a lasting impression as Lorena, Bill Compton’s “maker,” on ’s HBO award-winning series . Before portraying a seductive and manipulative vampire, Klaveno grew up in a rural area of Washington State, and pursued her B.A. in Theatre at the in Seattle. Klaveno has since transitioned into one of the leads of Marc Cherry’s DEVIOUS MAIDS and Kevin Williamson’s drama, STALKER, for CBS. She also enjoyed juicy arcs on Showtime’s DEXTER, ABC’s DESIGNATED SURVIVOR, and starred in the TNT original telefilm, Scott Turow’s INNOCENT. A chance meeting with acclaimed Producer/Director J.J. Abrams led to a role in ALIAS, and she played Bonnie Parker on STANDOFF, opposite Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt. Additional guest roles soon followed, on SUSPECT BEHAVIOR, ER, K-VILLE, and LAWS OF CHANCE. Klaveno has also starred in the telefilms FINAL APPROACH and WHILE THE CHILDREN SLEEP, NO GOD, NO MASTER, and the Kairos film WEST OF REDEMPTION. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Jane Ryan (Mrs. Braxton) Jane Ryan is a professional actor, director, and teaching artist. She co-founded one of Seattle’s first Improv companies, and taught theatre classes for UW, SCT, and many Seattle schools. Her recent directing credits include TWELFTH NIGHT, BECKY’S NEW CAR, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, and CRIMES OF THE HEART, as well as numerous new works. She has appeared onstage in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Dallas in a variety of plays. Previous screen credits include NORTHERN EXPOSURE, Karl Krogstad’s STRINGS, corporate videos for Boeing, General Motors, and Safeco, as well as commercials for Bon Marche, Scott Realty, Seattle City Light, and KZOK radio. Jane is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, and SAG/AFTRA.

Suzanne Bouchard (Eulalie) Suzanne is an award-winning actress and Lunt-Fontanne Fellow based in Seattle, WA. Her stage career spans decades of prominent roles across the country, including Billy Dawn in BORN YESTERDAY (Intiman Theatre), Karen Knightly in REVENGERS’ COMEDY (ACT), Henrietta in SMASH (Intiman Theatre), Lina in MISALLIANCE (Seattle Repertory Theatre), Charlotte in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Helen Lawson, Miriam in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (Empty Space Theatre), Deborah in A KIND OF ALASKA (Shadow and Light), Elizabeth Bishop in DEAR ELIZABETH (Seattle Repertory) and Mrs. Alving in GHOSTS (ArtsWest). Cast Bios (cont’d)

Kevin Alejandro (Bruce) Award-winning actor Kevin Alejandro currently stars as LAPD Detective ‘Douche’ Espinoza working with the Devil in Netflix’s dramedy series LUCIFER. He previously starred on HBO’s global hit series TRUE BLOOD as fan favorite character, Jesus Velasquez, a powerful Brujo (Mexican witch doctor). He also starred opposite Ben McKenzie and Regina King in TNT’s critically acclaimed SOUTHLAND, as Detective Nate Moretta. He previously starred in A&E’s THE RETURNED, Showtime’s Emmy-nominated SLEEPER CELL:AMERICAN TERROR, ABC’s UGLY BETTY, CW’s ARROW, CBS’ Greg Berlanti series THE GOLDEN BOY, starring opposite Theo James. Alejandro recently directed the dramedy short, BEDTIME STORY, starring Patrick Fischler and Tricia Helfer, which won Best of Festival, and Kevin won Best Director, at the Hollywood Short Film Festival 2018, as well as the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short at the Mammoth Film Festival. It has also been admitted into the Hollywood Reel International Film Festival. Kevin is directed an episode of LUCIFER for season 3. His additional television acting credits include recurring roles on CBS’ SHARK, opposite James Woods, ABC’s PARENTHOOD, GREY’S ANATOMY, Showtime’s WEEDS, and FX’s SONS OF ANARCHY. Additionally he has starred in various independent and major feature films including ’s RED STATE, MEDEAS opposite Catalina Sandino Moreno, CROSSING OVER, opposite , and SAFELIGHT, opposite Juno Temple and Evan Peters. He studied theatre at the University of Texas, and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son.

Pamela Reed (Sister Giorgia) Pamela has over 60 film and television credits under her belt, including film performances in THE LONG RIDERS (1980), THE RIGHT STUFF (1983), KINDERGARTEN COP (1990), JUNIOR (1994), BEAN(1997), and PROOF OF LIFE (2000). Pamela's television credits include the portrayal of Jack Tanner's (played by Michael Murphy) campaign manager, T.J. Cavanaugh, in Robert Altman's TANNER ‘88 (1988). Her performance in the series earned her a Cable Ace Award. Most recently, she has appeared as Marlene Knope on . Pamela also appeared on stage in 2013 at ACT Theatre in OTHER DESERT CITIES.

Kieran Walton (Cody) Actor Kieran Walton is making his feature film debut in LANGUAGE ARTS. In his short acting career, he has participated in film, theater, and voice over work as well. His first professional performance began in theater, as he starred as "Orlando" in Young Shakespeare Workshop's production of AS YOU LIKE IT and "Hamlet" in their production of HAMLET. Most recently, Kieran has lent his voice for the character "Axel Mulligan" in Cartoon Network's new hit show POWER PLAYERS. Cast Bios (cont’d)

Basil Harris (Garrett) Basil Harris works as a theater and media actor, most recently appearing onstage in Steven Dietz's DRACULA at ACT Theatre in Seattle. A popular regional theater actor, Basil has appeared on stages across the country including Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children's Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, Empty Space Theater, Ohio's Tantrum Theater, Actors Express in Atlanta, and at NYC's New Victory Theater. Film credits include SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED directed by Colin Trevorrow, (JURASSIC WORLD), 21 AND OVER, KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM, and MY EFFORTLESS BRILLIANCE, directed by Lynn Shelton. Television: GRIMM (NBC), LEVERAGE (TNT), THE FUGITIVE and THE JOHN REPORT WITH BOB (CBS). Original series: ROCKETMEN (Vimeo/YouTube) and AUTOMATA (DUST/Gunpowder & Sky). More at basilharris.com.

Aishe Keita (Romy) Aishé Keita is a Jamaican-Malian-American storyteller. She is Seattle-based with credits at Arts West for SUNSET BABY, and at Intiman Theater, Seattle Shakespeare Company , and Book-it Repertory Theater for I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS, for which she received a Gregory Award for Best Actress in a play. Aishe also starred in Danai Gurira’s play FAMILIAR, as Nyasha, at the Guthrie Theater and Seattle Repertory Theater. LANGUAGE ARTS Is Aishé’s first movie, and she is so excited to share it with the world. About the Production

They say a filmmaker needs an army. This production gathered more than an army, it gathered Seattle. An entire city helped to make this film happen. Schools, treatment centers, unions, churches, community members, and residents in the Laurelhurst neighborhood became partners in creating this film. Our Locations Department did an amazing job building relationships and good will. We were able to set up Base Camp in one place, and utilize locations within an eight-block radius, letting us shoot the bulk of the film without many costly moves, in an area very like those depicted in the novel. Washington state itself was instrumental in getting this project off the ground, with a generous grant through Washington Filmworks.

“Seattle is full of the most generous, welcoming, people,” says writer and director Cornelia Duryée. A fourth-generation native of Seattle, “Corrie” drew on her deep connection to her community when planning the shoot. She and novelist Stephanie Kallos had connected through Seattle theater in the 1990s, and later, while writing the novel, Stephanie drew on the experiences of several families who were raising neuro-diverse children, Corrie’s family among them.

Language Arts is Corrie’s third adapted screenplay. Her mentor Madeleine L’Engle offered Corrie this advice: “Don’t let facts be the enemy of the truth of the story.” Some events that are alluded-to in the novel needed to be made more visual in the screenplay. For example, there is a moment of violence in the film that isn’t directly in the novel, and Corrie directed the actors to improvise several flashback scenes, to explore the complexity of young Charlie’s family dynamic. Additionally, several characters make their way into scenes in the film that were not there in the novel. “Adaptation is about finding the truths that form the backbone of the novel, and setting them free in a visual way, so that the film can breath its own breath,” says Corrie. About Kairos

This project is the company’s 5th feature film, and Kairos has at least three more films in the pipeline.

The company’s indefatigable spirit comes from founder (and Portal Runner director) Cornelia Duryée. Corrie is a powerhouse of creativity, energy, and passion. Her films explore dance, horseback riding, trauma, autism, love, divorce, faith, and family. “My passion for storytelling was ignited by my Godmother (the novelist Madeleine L’Engle). She inspired me to try to capture the deep beauty that lives beneath things that aren’t so beautiful on the surface. ”

That is exactly what drew Larry Estes, “Hollywood’s Quiet Godfather of the Offbeat Film,” to join Kairos. “After working so long in Hollywood, I wanted to make movies that I wanted to make. Corrie’s vision for the company, and the films we choose, allow me to work on stories that are good for the heart.”

“My whole purpose is hope,” says Cornelia, “All the stories I tell are about hope and redemption. They are usually full of struggle and darkness, because that’s what the light fights against. But, ultimately, the light will always win. And believing that is what keeps a person grounded and sane in an insane world.” Q & A with the Director

You raised a child with autism. Are there events in the film that come from your life?

Well, yes and no. Stephanie based her story on an amalgam of several young people with autism, and my son was one of the many who were part of that collage. So yes, there are moments that I actually experienced. Just one example -- I was told my son had autism in a very similar way to how Charles and Alison are told. As I shared with Stephanie, it was as if the novel had listened in on my actual life and experience. But, much of the film has less to do with my own story than with the universal struggle of raising children, trying to keep a family together under trying circumstances, and the way that love connects and saves us.

Why did you start Kairos?

Kairos was born because my Godmother, Madeleine L’Engle, asked me to adapt several of her beloved novels for the screen. I decided to raise the money to do so, and to do that you need a production company. Then, Larry Estes came on board, and suddenly Kairos went from a plan to a reality. Day one of the filming of Camilla Dickinson, my adaptation of Madeleine’s novel Camilla, was the culmination of twelve years of writing, fundraising, working, and dreaming.

Where does the name Kairos come from?

Kairos is a term that Madeleine used a lot in her journal books. It is a word depicting non-linear time; time out-of-time, prayer, flow. Its opposite is chronos, or linear time. When I am making a movie, or praying, I am often able to be in kairos. When you are watching my movies, I hope you are transported into kairos.

You’ve been making features since 2003. Where do you find your stories?

This question reminds me of being on speaking tours with Madeleine. People asked her that question every time she ever spoke. We had a little signal, a little look we’d share, and we’d do our best not to crack up, because we wondered about that question too! It’s a mystery. As a Christian, I would say our creativity comes from the Holy Spirit. Another word for creativity is inspiration, which literally means the breath of God coming into one’s heart. And you better believe I pray for inspiration every day.

How would you describe a Kairos movie?

We make movies that find grace in walking through the pain, the struggles, and the obstacles of our lives. We film stories that lift the hearts of our audience, but we put them through the ringer first. There can be great beauty navigating a path through the suffering that is part of life on this planet. We try to reveal that beauty. We try to make beautiful films about things that are not beautiful.

What makes Kairos different?

Faith, hope, and love.

What is your favorite film?

Of all time? The Princess Bride. I think it has everything. Q & A with the Director (cont’d)

Who was your biggest influence?

Other than Jesus Christ? My mothers. My birth mother gave me up for adoption, and I had the great good fortune to be adopted, heart and soul, by my mother, Sylvia Duryee, and by my Godmothers, Madeleine L’Engle and Joyce Clise. I have been blessed with many female role models throughout my life. All of them have been huge influences. And I had a sweet, wonderful Dad too; Phil Duryee.

Where do you find your funding?

We do a lot of work with private investors to raise the money. Additionally, Washington Filmworks has been essential in getting our films made. Their generosity has made it possible for us to do our films at home in Washington state.

Who has been your greatest ally?

In filmmaking, Larry Estes. Hands down. He’s my greatest ally, and my inspiration to keep going. His dedication to the craft encourages me every day. His linearity helps guide my non-linear tendencies into something like order. He’s an incredible business partner.

You have made a couple of films with young actors in leading roles? What can you tell us about working with young people?

I love working with young people. I love it, love it, love it. I’ve done it for three features now, and for many years prior, as an acting teacher. It is so much fun to work with people who are discovering new depths of artistry in themselves, while you watch and gently guide. It’s a joyful feeling of collaboration and unity to work with people in the early part of their careers, and I treasure it. It’s an honor.